WALES Under-21s withstood a ferocious second-half Argentina fightback at Iffley Road, Oxford, to secure their eighth successive victory at this age level.

Chris Davey's side had to withstand Argentina's determined comeback bid amid cruelly humid conditions, but eventually finished the contest with a 3-0 try tally and could look to the controlling influence of Cardiff fly-half Nicky Robinson as a major factor in the win.

Robinson claimed 14 points with a penalty, Wales' opening try and the conversion of all three touchdowns.

Wales will now face reigning world champions South Africa at Newbury on Saturday, the Boks having signalled their intentions with an ominous 102-10 win over Canada at Henley.

How they fare on that occasion, allied to results elsewhere, will determine whether Wales will be guaranteed a top-four finish.

Argentina fly-half Alfredo Cordone got the better of an early kicking duel with opposite number Robinson, with the Argentine putting over two penalties to the Cardiff No 10's single success.

However, Robinson then got the upper hand in the personal points stakes, capitalising on centre David Bishop's charge down of Cordone's clearance.

Bishop, the centre who began to make a name for himself last season with Bridgend, gathered before sending Robinson over for a try the fly-half converted.

That 10th-minute score gave Wales a timely confidence boost and the positive approach continued amid stern resistance and no little skill from Argentina.

The Pumas pack was smaller than they have previously produced at this age group but with that change in physical emphasis seems to have come improvements in fitness.

Wales increased their lead after 34 minutes with new Cardiff Blues wing Jonny Vaughton showing his blistering speed for a try converted by his Arms Park team-mate Robinson.

Cordone kept his side in touch with a late first-half penalty, but after the break Newport tight-head prop Rhys Thomas extended Wales' lead, finishing off another superb move that Robinson again converted.

But if Wales thought the rest of the contest was going to centre on their attacking abilities, they were to be proved massively wrong.

While the men in red continued to attack whenever the opportunity arose, the second period revolved instead on a defensive resolve that Argentina tested with every sinew.

Cordone's marksmanship brought nine more points as the Pumas threw themselves into the contest.

But inspiration came from Cardiff back-row pairing James Malpas and Robin Sowden-Taylor.

Sowden-Taylor was typically busy - but then he had little choice with Argentina half-backs Alfredo Lalanne and Cordonne continually probing for gaps and prompting their forwards into the sort of dynamic play that tested Wales.

The defensive qualities of fly-half Robinson and midfield men Scott Williams and Bishop were also challenged, while scrum-half Ricky Richards again deputised ably for senior Wales squad tourist Mike Phillips.